It is not uncommon for family members to be taken aback after a loved one passes away and the death certificate lists that they died of sepsis. While it is not common knowledge sepsis is rather common especially among the elderly. It is in fact one of the major causes of deaths in hospitals. Thousands and thousands of individuals die due to sepsis.
The elderly are at high risk of coming down with sepsis. This is because sepsis begins as an infection and infections are common among elderly patients in hospitals/nursing homes/rehabilitation facilities. Some of the types of infections most frequently seen among the elderly are pneumonia or a bed sore.
The best way available for helping people survive sepsis is to treat it as soon as possible. In case the infection goes untreated it sepsis can worsen and as it gets worse the patient’s chances of surviving are significantly reduced. If the patient experiences septic shock his or her chance of survival goes down to no better than 50%.
A different group of people who are susceptible to infections are cancer patients, for example, those with cancer of the breast. A common treatment for a number of different cancers includes chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can significantly damage the person’s immune system. For someone in this condition, infections can pose a serious issue and can turn septic. Additionally, chemotherapy is in many cases given via a port which can easily get infected. This same problem arises with patients undergoing dialysis.
People ought to be knowledgeable about the danger posed by infections and to consult with their doctor in the event they notice symptoms or have any concerns.
This post is meant only for general informational uses only. It is not meant as, nor should it be interpreted to be, medical or legal advice. If you have any health or medical concerns contact a physician immediately. Should you believe you may be the victim of medical malpractice contact a lawyer. An attorney can figure out whether you have a valid claim. Consult the attorney without delay as the law limits the amount of time within which you can pursue a lawsuit.